Any director, particularly one whose biggest credit at the time was an indie drama (The Land), would be excused for having nerves upon meeting Stallone.
Rocky Balboa has been one of cinema’s most popular characters for the last four decades, so it’s understandable why Steven Caple Jr. felt intimidated upon meeting Sylvester Stallone.
Plus, the lion statues at the mansion’s gates and the giant front door add to the imposing ambiance.
Without him, Rocky simply wouldn’t exist, let alone be a pop culture icon.